What does it really take to build something that lasts?

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Bob Mintzer and Russ Ferrante of Yellowjackets, a band that has remained relevant, creative, and respected for over four decades.
This is not just a conversation about music. This is a conversation about commitment.

We talk about what it means to be part of a true collective, where there is no single leader, and every member contributes to the sound, the direction, and the identity of the band. They share how they’ve managed to evolve through different eras, different players, and different musical landscapes without ever losing who they are.

Bob opens up about stepping into an already established group and learning what he calls the “secret code” of Yellowjackets, while Russ shares how trust, respect, and openness to each musician’s strengths has kept the band fresh and alive through every transition.

We also talk about the real work behind the music. Letting go of ego. Allowing songs to transform once they become “band property.” Understanding that the whole is always more important than any individual part.

There’s a deeper lesson here that goes beyond jazz.

This is about relationships. About longevity. About knowing when to lead and when to listen.
We get into how their sound has evolved over time, why they are not interested in chasing trends, and how their focus on discovery continues to drive their creativity forward.

And if you’ve ever wondered what keeps a band together for over 40 years, this conversation gives you the answer.

Connect with the Yellowjackets: https://www.yellowjackets.com/

Some artists find their sound early. Others spend a lifetime building it. This conversation is about the second path.

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Reza Khan, a guitarist whose journey spans continents, cultures, and decades of quiet dedication.

We start at the beginning. Growing up in Bangladesh, surrounded by Indian classical discipline while being exposed to Western rock and roll in fragments. Jazz was not readily available. It had to be discovered. Found in rare records, shared quietly, and explored with curiosity.

Then everything changed.

A single moment listening to artists like Pat Metheny and Al Di Meola opened a new world. A realization that there was something deeper than covers. Something personal. Something worth chasing.

We talk about what it means to leave that world behind and start over in the United States. Learning a new language. Navigating a new culture. Choosing stability through a career in technology while quietly building a second life in music.

And that’s where this story becomes something special.

Reza shares how he spent decades creating, recording, and storing hundreds of musical ideas in what he calls “the vault.” A living archive of creativity, waiting for the right moment to come to life.
We talk about discipline, balancing a full-time career with artistic passion, working with world-class musicians, and building relationships one connection at a time.

And most importantly, we talk about identity.

What does it sound like when Eastern rhythm meets Western harmony? When tradition meets innovation? When a lifetime of experience finally finds its voice?

This episode is about patience. It is about purpose. It is about understanding that your journey does not have to be loud to be powerful.

Sometimes, the most meaningful music is the kind that takes years to find its way out.

Connect with Reza: https://rezakhanmusic.com/

Some stories stay with you long after the conversation ends. This is one of them.

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Willie Bradley, a trumpeter whose journey is built on faith, perseverance, and second chances.

We go all the way back to the beginning. A young kid in South Carolina surrounded by music, inspired by legends like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, discovering his love for the trumpet after missing out on the drums. From practicing in the backyard to eventually earning his way into the living room, his story starts with discipline and determination.

But this conversation goes deeper than music. Willie opens up about a season in his life marked by struggle, addiction, and loss. A moment that could have ended everything instead became the turning point that changed his life forever.

From there, we talk about rebuilding. Learning the music business from the ground up. Recording his first project later in life. Promoting his own shows. And stepping into rooms he once only dreamed about.

We also talk about what it feels like to stand in front of thousands of people and perform the national anthem. The pressure. The nerves. The discipline it takes to deliver in a moment where you only get one shot to get it right.

This episode is about purpose. It is about doing the work. It is about understanding that your timeline does not have to look like anyone else’s.

And more than anything, it is about believing that no matter where you start, you can still raise the bar for your life.

Connect with Willie: https://williebradley.net/

Fifty years. Let that sit for a moment.

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Jay Beckenstein, the leader of Spyro Gyra, a group that has shaped the sound of contemporary jazz for generations.

We go back to the beginning. A name that came from a late-night moment and stuck. A band that was never supposed to last this long but did. And a journey that started with a dream of playing saxophone and turned into a global legacy.

Jay breaks down what it really takes to sustain creativity over decades. How do you keep writing when you have hundreds of songs behind you? How do you evolve without losing your identity? And how do you manage a band where every member is not just a player, but a contributor with their own voice?

We talk about the reality behind the music. The changes in technology. The shifts in the music business. The difference between surviving and thriving. And why respect and collaboration have been the foundation of Spyro Gyra’s success.

This conversation is also about timing and gratitude. Being in the right place when music was exploding with possibility. Being open to influences from around the world. And understanding that longevity is not luck alone, it is discipline, adaptability, and vision.

This is more than a conversation about jazz. It is about building something that lasts.

Connect with Spyro Gyra: https://spyrogyra.com/

Purchase Tickets to the Tri-C Jazz Festival: https://www.tri-c.edu/jazzfest/

What happens when talent meets opportunity and pressure at the same time?

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Patches Stewart, a world-class trumpeter whose journey started in New Orleans and led him to stages alongside legends like Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller, and Quincy Jones.

We talk about what it really looks like behind the scenes. The early days of struggle. Learning how to survive on the road. Navigating the music industry when nothing is guaranteed. And the moment when you have to decide whether you stay comfortable or step out on your own as an artist.

Patches opens up about growing up surrounded by music in New Orleans, the lessons he learned from playing in horn sections versus stepping into the spotlight as a soloist, and the advice that changed everything when it came time to build something for himself.

We also get into the realities of being a working musician. The discipline it takes to master an instrument like the trumpet. The pressure of performing at the highest level. And how technology has changed the way artists create, connect, and survive in today’s industry.

This is more than a conversation about jazz. It is about resilience, evolution, and understanding your value in a world that constantly tries to define it for you.

Connect with Patches: https://thepatchesstewart.com/

Some instruments support the music. The bass defines it.

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Brendan Rothwell, a bassist whose sound carries both legacy and evolution. From hearing Marcus Miller for the first time to building a career across continents, Brendan shares how one moment can shift everything.

We talk about his early beginnings in the UK, his move to Canada, and how the jazz scene looks different when geography, distance, and opportunity all play a role. Brendan opens up about what it means to develop your own voice while being influenced by greats like Stanley Clarke, Nathan East, and others who shaped the sound of modern bass.

This conversation goes deeper than music. We get into independence, streaming, and the real business of being an artist today. Brendan breaks down how platforms like Spotify can change a career, how one song can fund multiple projects, and why understanding the business side is just as important as mastering your instrument.

This is a conversation about consistency, identity, and what it takes to stay in the game when no one is handing you the blueprint.

Connect with Brendan:https://www.brendanrothwell.com/

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist Wayne Gutshall, and this conversation is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one moment to change your life.

Wayne takes me back to his early days in Miami, where his musical journey didn’t even start on the saxophone. His first love was bass, inspired by funk and groove, but everything shifted the day he was unexpectedly asked to step into jazz band. That moment turned into purpose, and from there, there was no turning back.

We talk about the influence of mentors and why learning from greats is about more than technique. It is about presence, tone, and understanding what the music is supposed to feel like. Wayne shares how studying players like John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, and David Sanborn helped shape his approach, while still pushing him to develop a sound that is entirely his own.

This conversation also dives into what it really takes to stay in the game. Wayne speaks honestly about commitment, discipline, and the internal drive required to choose music when other paths might feel easier or more stable. We talk about the difference between learning and becoming, and why imitation is only a step toward discovering your own voice.

We also get into the reality of today’s music industry. From recording and production to streaming and collaboration, Wayne shares how he navigates a world that looks very different from the one before it. He opens up about balancing creativity with consistency, and the pressure that comes with continuing to release music at a high level.

And then there’s the sound. Wayne describes his style as melodic with depth, blending traditional jazz language with contemporary expression. It is not about copying what came before. It is about honoring it while still moving forward.

This episode is about more than jazz. It is about recognizing your moment, trusting your instincts, and committing to the path once you find it.

Connect with Wayne: https://www.waynegutshall.com/

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist Dee Lucas, and this conversation goes far beyond music. It is about identity, ownership, and the discipline it takes to build something that lasts.

We start at the beginning, where Dee shares how his first love was actually bass guitar before discovering the saxophone in college. What drew him in was not just the sound, but the voice of the instrument. That connection led him down a path shaped by the influence of George Howard and Grover Washington Jr., artists who didn’t just play music, they created a signature sound you could recognize in seconds.

Dee breaks down what makes the saxophone such a demanding instrument, from breath control to discipline, and why mastering it is more about consistency than talent. We also get into the ongoing conversation about what defines jazz, and why, at its core, it is all connected.

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Dee’s decision to build his own record label. He explains why ownership mattered to him from the very beginning, how he navigated the shift from physical CDs to streaming, and why he refuses to leave money or opportunity on the table. This is a real look at what it takes to be both an artist and an entrepreneur in today’s music industry.

We also talk about time management, creativity, and how he continues to evolve after more than a decade of projects. With over 11 releases and counting, Dee shares how he stays inspired, how he revisits past work, and why growth is not optional if you want longevity.

This episode is not just about jazz. It is about building something that reflects who you are and having the discipline to stand on it.

Connect with Dee: https://www.deelucas.com/

After more than a dozen projects and a catalog that spans over a hundred songs, what keeps the creativity alive? On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with saxophonist Paul Taylor to explore what it really means to evolve as an artist while staying true to your sound.

Paul joins me to talk about his latest release and why he describes it as the start of a new cycle. We dive into how each project represents a different chapter of his life, shaped by growth, experience, and a renewed sense of optimism. His latest work, anchored by the title track It’s a Brand New Day, reflects that mindset with music that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in his journey.

We talk about the creative process behind building an album, from finding inspiration in everyday moments to knowing when a song feels right on the instrument. Paul shares how his influences, from artists like David Sanborn and Ronnie Laws to groups like Earth, Wind and Fire and War, continue to shape his sound even today. He also opens up about the importance of loving the music you create and why that passion is the key to longevity.

Our conversation also touches on his experiences working alongside legendary artists, including Maurice White, and the lessons he learned in those moments. From quiet guidance in the studio to understanding the humanity behind the music, those experiences helped shape the artist he is today.
We also explore how Paul approaches covering songs, including his interpretation of a Billie Eilish track, and what it takes for a melody to translate onto the saxophone. It’s a fascinating look at how musicians hear and reinterpret music in their own voice.

This episode is about more than just music. It’s about discipline, evolution, and waking up every day with the mindset that you still have something new to say.

Connect with Paul: https://paultaylorsax.com

Some musicians follow a path that feels safe. Others create a path that leaves them no choice but to succeed. On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with guitarist and composer Chris Standring to talk about the journey that took him from rural England to the heart of the jazz scene in Los Angeles.

Chris grew up far from the bright lights of London, living on a farm in the English countryside. With only one national radio station and very little jazz programming available, his earliest exposure to jazz came through his father’s modest record collection. Artists like Oscar Peterson and Dudley Moore planted the first seeds, but it was progressive rock guitarists and fusion players who opened the door to improvisation and experimentation. Eventually, that curiosity led him to the music of George Benson, Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery, and other jazz legends who would become lifelong influences.

During our conversation, Chris shares how a visit to Los Angeles as a young musician changed everything. Watching artists like Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, and the Yellowjackets perform in small clubs made him realize where the music he loved was truly happening. That realization sparked a bold decision. He sold nearly everything he owned in London, moved to Los Angeles, and made it impossible to return if things didn’t work out.

Chris talks about those early years of uncertainty, the determination it took to build a life in a new country, and how eventually joining the Guitars and Saxes tour with artists like Rick Braun, Peter White, Kirk Whalum, and Mark Antoine opened new doors in his career. That momentum eventually led to recording opportunities, radio airplay, and the steady growth of his own catalog as a bandleader and composer.

We also discuss his newest album Time of Change, a project rooted in reflection and nostalgia. Chris shares how life experiences, personal milestones, and the passage of time shaped the emotional tone of the record. The conversation also touches on his single Hollywood Hustle and the creative decision to experiment with artificial intelligence in the music video, sparking a thoughtful discussion about technology’s growing role in music and creativity.

Connect with Chris: https://chrisstandring.com/